Pulsed projection system for 3d video

ABSTRACT

A 3D-display system alternates between directing light representing a left-eye view of a 3D image to a viewer&#39;s left eye and directing light representing a right-eye view of a 3D image to a viewer&#39;s right eye. To direct the light towards the viewer&#39;s eyes, the system receives eye-location data relative to a display device from an eye-tracking system and uses light deflectors, such as acousto-optic, electro-optic, and passive optical deflectors, to aim the light in a particular direction.

BACKGROUND

3D-display systems have existed in a variety of forms for many years.Generally, these systems convey a sense of depth by presenting slightlydifferent views of a similar image to each of a viewer's eyes. Onetypical 3D-display system involves presenting two superimposed imagessimultaneously from a single display screen with each image modified insuch a way that a specially designed light-filter may cancel out oneimage or the other. By placing a different filter in front of each of aviewer's eyes, the viewer may see one image in their left eye and adifferent image in their right eye when looking at the same display. Ifthe two images are slightly offset views of the same scene, the viewerwill instinctively combine the images into a 3D representation of thescene. Conventional systems have employed color filters (such as thered/cyan glasses), type of light-polarization (i.e., planar, elliptical,linear, etc.), or polarization angle as characteristics for filteringimages using filters placed near to the eyes.

More recently, displays have been developed that can present 3D imageswithout placing filters near the eyes. Such systems, known asautostereoscopic displays, hold tremendous potential for bringing3D-display technology to a variety of untapped applications. Emerginguses for 3D technology include medical imaging, entertainment,diagnostics, education, and defense, among many other fields.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method for displaying 3D images involves providinga display device and receiving data indicating locations of a viewer'seyes relative to the display device. The method further includessequentially outputting, from the display device, light raysrepresenting either a left-eye or a right-eye view of the 3D images andusing a solid-state optical deflector to deflect, based on the receiveddata, the light rays output from the display device.

In another embodiment, an autostereoscopic 3D-display device includes adisplay screen that sequentially displays right-eye and left-eye viewsof 3D images. The 3D-display device also includes an eye-tracking systemconfigured to determine a left-eye location and a right-eye locationrelative to the display screen. Further, the 3D-display device includesan active solid-state deflection system to direct light rays,representing the left-eye and right-eye views, towards the determinedleft-eye and right-eye locations.

In yet another embodiment, a display control system for controlling anautostereoscopic 3D-display includes a processor, a set of communicationinterfaces, and a computer-readable medium storing program instructions.The communication interfaces include a display-screen interface, aneye-tracking system interface, and a deflector-system interface. Theinstructions are executable to cause the processor to receive, via theeye-tracking system interface, eye-location data indicating a left-eyeand a right-eye location relative to the autostereoscopic 3D-display.The program instructions are further executable by the processor totransmit screen control signaling, via the display-screen interface,directing an autostereoscopic 3D-display device to sequentially outputlight rays representing either a left-eye view or a right eye-view of 3Dimages. Additionally, the instructions are executable to cause theprocessor to transmit deflector control signaling, via thedeflector-system interface, directing a deflector system to deflect theoutput light rays towards the detected eye locations in accordance withthe received eye-location data.

In a still further embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable mediumcontains program instructions executable by a processor to cause anautostereoscopic 3D-display device to perform certain functions. Thefunctions include receiving eye-location data, indicative of a left-eyeand a right-eye location view of the 3D images relative to theautostereoscopic 3D-display device. The functions also includesequentially outputting light rays representing a left-eye view of 3Dimages and light rays representing a right-eye view of the images.Further, the functions include using an active solid-state deflector todeflect the output light rays towards the indicated eye-locations.

The foregoing is a summary and thus by necessity containssimplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail. Consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/orprocesses described herein, as defined solely by the claims, will becomeapparent in the detailed description set forth herein and taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic design of an autostereoscopic 3D display deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic design of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic design of a display control device according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a light-ray diagram of an example embodiment in use.

FIG. 5B is a light-ray diagram of an example embodiment in use.

FIG. 6A is a light-ray diagram of an example embodiment in use.

FIG. 6B is a light-ray diagram of an example embodiment in use.

FIG. 7A is a light-ray diagram of an example embodiment in use.

FIG. 7B is a light-ray diagram of an example embodiment in use.

FIG. 8A is a light-ray diagram of an example embodiment in use.

FIG. 8B is a light-ray diagram of an example embodiment in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To display 3D images, a display system may alternate between presentinga left-eye view and a right-eye view of an image and, while displayingeach view, direct light rays towards either the left or right eye of aviewer in accordance with the view the system is currently displaying.For example, the system may track the position of a viewer's left eyeand, when the system displays the left-eye view, direct light towardsthe tracked position of the left eye. Likewise, the system may track theposition of the viewer's right eye and, when the system displays theright-eye view, direct light towards the tracked position of the righteye. In this way, the system may display the left-eye view to theviewer's left eye and the right-eye view to the viewer's right eye.

By using images that are offset in a way that mimics the real-lifeoffset associated with viewing the same scene from the perspective ofeach eye, the display system may help to give the appearance of depth toa displayed image. In the following disclosure, example systems andmedia for producing such an effect are put forth and example operationof these or other systems is discussed.

Example Device and System Architecture

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a display system 100 according to an exemplaryembodiment. As shown, display system 100 includes display screen 102,eye-tracking system 104, and optical-deflection system 106, each coupledto system bus 108. Display system 100 may also include processor 110,computer-readable medium (CRM) 112, with program instructions 114 storedthereon, and communication interfaces 116, as shown in FIG. 1. Someembodiments may not include all the elements shown in FIG. 1 and/or mayinclude additional elements not shown in the example system of FIG. 1.

Display screen 102 may include one or more light sources and a varietyof other optical features for presenting images. Light sources mayinclude, for example, light emitting diodes, other electroluminescentcomponents, incandescent light sources, gas discharge sources, lasers,electron emission sources, and/or quantum dot sources, among otherexisting and future light-source technologies. In an example displayscreen, sets of light sources may be organized into arrays and othersuch groupings in order to form complex images or patterns. In such anarrangement, each light source may behave as an individual illuminatedlocation (sometimes referred to as a pixel) on a larger display screen.In other arrangements, single light sources may illuminate severalpixels.

The light-producing elements of a display screen may connect to variousdisplay control interfaces. A control unit that signals the screenelements to manage the display may take various forms, as will bediscussed in a later section. In some arrangements, a controller mayindependently signal each pixel through an individual electrical oroptical connection.

In other arrangements, a set of pixels may interface collectively with acontrol unit. For example, three differently colored light sources maybe signaled collectively so that the combined output produces aparticular color. As another example, several superimposed signals maybe transmitted to a set of pixels with each signal intended for one ofthe pixels. At the display screen, the combined signal may be filteredinto its constituent parts and each signal sent to its intended pixel.

In still other arrangements, a controller may control a single lightsource in order to provide light for multiple pixels. For example, thelight output from a single light source may be, expanded, split, and/orfiltered to produce multiple simultaneously displayed pixels. As anotherexample, a source may be configured to illuminate each of a set ofdisplay-locations on a display screen sequentially, cycling through thelocations and providing light to each location one at a time. Otherexample control arrangements may also be used.

Optical features other than light sources may include, for example,lenses, mirrors, beam-splitters, liquid crystals, electronic ink,baffles, filters, polarizers, and/or waveguides. As one example, alenticular display-screen may include arrays of small convex lenses(called lenticules) arranged above an underlying image in such a way asto magnify different portions of the underlying image depending on theangle from which the image is viewed. In particular, lenticules andunderlying images may be designed so that two or more entirely differentimages are presented when the screen is viewed from specific angles.FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B show examples of lenticular display-screens inuse. As will be discussed, optical deflectors may also be used to changethe direction of light output from display screen 102. Other examplesare possible.

In some implementations, optical elements other than light sources maybe controllable through mechanical, electrical, acoustic, optical, orother stimuli. In such cases, a control unit may interface eitherindependently or collectively with controllable elements in much thesame way that arrays of pixels may be controlled.

Eye-tracking system 104 may also be included or connected to displaysystem 100. In some arrangements, eye-tracking system 104 may beintegral in the same device as display screen 102 and other elements. Inother cases, eye-tracking system 104 may communicate with other elementsof the system. For example those elements shown connected to system bus108, through an electrical, optical, or other communicative interface.In some cases, eye-tracking system 104 may control itself and simplysend eye-location data to the control and other elements in system 100.In other arrangements, eye-tracking system 104 may receive controlsignaling from a central controller in addition to sending eye-locationdata.

Eye-tracking system 104 may generate eye-location data (i.e. dataindicating the location of a viewer's eyes relative to the displayscreen 102 as opposed to gaze direction, which would indicate thedirection the eyes are gazing) in a variety of ways. For example, avideo-processing approach may involve capturing images in the directionthat display-screen 102 faces and analyzing the images to detectportions of the image that are representative of one or more eyelocations. As another example, proximity sensors may determineeye-locations by sending optical or acoustic signals into an area,measuring signals that are reflected back towards the sensor, andprocessing the reflected signals to detect data that are indicative ofat least one eye-position. In another arrangement, a user may wear orcarry a device or other labeling element that eye tracking-system 104may detect and use as an indication of the position of the viewer'seyes. Other systems may also be used.

In a video processing, proximity sensing, or other detection techniques,sensors may determine eye-locations from data representing the actualeye, such as an image of the eye or optical/acoustic waves reflectedfrom the eye. Additionally or alternatively, sensors may determineeye-locations from data representing other parts of the viewer's body.For example, in response to receiving data that is indicative of theposition and orientation of a viewer's head, the system may relate thesehead characteristics to a general template and thereby estimate theposition of each of the user's eyes.

In some implementations, eye-tracking system 104 may occasionallygenerate new eye-location data by determining a current position of thedetected eyes and updating the eye-location data with the most currentposition. For example, eye-tracking system 104 may determineeye-locations periodically, that is, at predefined time-intervals. Insome cases, the time intervals between successive determination stepsmay be so brief as to create a substantially continuous trace of theeye-location. In some embodiments, the time-intervals at whicheye-location data is updated are matched to those at which images areupdated, for instance, a left-eye location can be measured (orpredicted) just as a new left-eye image is ready to be outputted. Inother embodiments, eye-tracking system 104 may determine eye-locationsin response to a particular signal. For example, eye-tracking system 104may receive movement data from one or more motion sensors and initiatean eye-location determination procedure in response to receiving dataindicating a sufficiently large movement in the viewing area of displayscreen 102. Other stimuli may also be used.

Eye-location data may indicate a variety of aspects related to thelocation, characteristics, and motion of the viewers' eyes. In someembodiments, the eye-location data may only indicate the relativedirections (i.e., a relative angular position vector) from thedisplay-screen to one or more detected eyes. Such directional positiondata may be gathered, for example, by comparing the direction fromeye-tracking system 104 towards the detected eyes to the position ofeye-tracking system 104 with respect to the display screen.

Additionally, eye-location data may indicate the relative distance fromthe display screen to the detected eyes. For example, a proximity sensormay determine relative distance of a detected object by modulating theoutput waves, comparing returning waves to output waves to determine thepropagation time of the waves, and using the speed of propagation tocalculate the distance of the object that reflected the wave.

Eye-location data may also indicate the movement of detected eyes. Forexample, eye-tracking system 104 may determine eye-locationsoccasionally and compare the determined set of eye-locations with one ormore previous eye-locations in order to estimate the motion of detectedeyes. In determining motion of a particular eye, the eye-location datafrom a current set of eye-locations may be associated with correspondingeye-location data in each of several previous sets of eye locations. Forexample, the eye locations may be associated based on a detectedsimilarity in the data that represents each corresponding eye-location(e.g., image, geometry, reflectivity or other similarities of the data).As another example, corresponding eye-locations may be associated basedon a detected similarity in their position relative to othereye-locations.

Using the current and previous values of eye-location from theassociated eye-location data, eye-tracking system 104 may calculatemotion characteristics associated with the determined eye-locations.Such motion information may include, for instance, speed, direction ofmovement, velocity, acceleration, movement pattern, and/or jerk, amongother movement characteristics. Eye-tracking system 104 may then includethe determined motion information in the eye-location data that it sendsto the control, processing, or other elements of display system 100.

In some cases, eye-tracking system 104 may process motion informationand current eye-location data in order to estimate future eye-locations.For example, in response to determining that a detected eye is moving ina particular direction at a particular speed, eye-tracking system 104may estimate the distance the eye will move in a given duration of timeby multiplying the given duration by the particular speed. Eye-trackingsystem 104 may then estimate the eye's future location at the end of thegiven duration by adding the estimated distance in the particulardirection to the current eye-location. In other arrangements, the systemmay factor acceleration, jerk, or the other motion information into anestimation of the future eye-location. Then, eye-tracking system 104 mayinclude the future eye-location data in the eye-location data that itsends to control elements in system 100.

In some embodiments, eye-tracking system 104 may also include otherinformation about the determined eye-locations in the eye-location data.For example, in response to detecting two eye-locations that movetogether and/or are separated by less than a certain distance,eye-tracking system 104 may determine that the eye-locations representone viewer's eyes and indicate that one is a left eye-location and theother is a right eye-location. As another example, a system may annotateeye-location data that represents a pair of eye-locations with anidentifier of the viewer that they pair of eye-locations represent. Forinstance, in response to detecting no strong correlation between themovement and/or separation of one or more different pairs ofeye-locations, eye-tracking system 104 may label each pair as, forexample “VIEWER A”, “VIEWER B”, etc. Other labels may also be used andeye-location data may include many other forms of information as well.

Optical deflection system 106 may include any of several types ofoptical deflectors and may be controlled and implemented in a variety ofways. The optical deflectors discussed herein will fit into threecategories: mechanically tunable deflectors, acousto-optical deflectors,and electro-optical deflectors. Additionally or alternatively, otherdeflection systems may be used in an example system. While passivedeflectors offer the virtues of simplicity and lack of powerrequirements, their mechanical motion can present challenges in terms ofresponse time, precision of deflection, and long-term reliability.Accordingly, in some embodiments, the use of active solid-state opticaldeflectors (such as acousto-optical or electro-optical) is advantageous.

Mechanically tunable deflectors are typically passive opticalcomponents, such as, lenses, waveguides, mirrors, and/or beamsplittersto name a few. When used with a fixed light source, such passive opticalelements will typically deflect light from the fixed light source in thesame way each time they are used. By physically moving the passiveelements, though, the optical deflection may be altered. Opticaldeflection system 106, therefore, may include actuators, transducers,motors, and/or other mechanical movement elements in order to controlthe position and orientation of each passive deflector, therebymechanically controlling the deflection of the light by these passivedeflectors

Acousto-optical deflectors use acoustic (e.g., sound) waves in anoptical medium to control how light will propagate (and deflect) whilepassing through the medium. In particular, when a standing acoustic waveis generated in a material, the periodic nature of the wave produces apattern of alternating regions of more dense and less dense material.This alternating pattern of density causes a corresponding alternatingpattern of refractive index through the material, which, in turn, causeslight passing through the material to diffract, undergoing partialscattering at the multiple evenly spaced planes defined by thealternating densities setup by the standing acoustic wave. Due to thisperiodic scattering, only light traveling in certain directions willconstructively interfere and pass through the material, meaning thatlight will emerge from such a deflector only at certain angles. Theallowed angles of emergence from such a deflector depend, among otherthings, on the frequency of the acoustic wave, i.e., the spacing betweenits waves. Therefore, acousto-optical deflectors may enable deflectorsystem 106 to change the deflection angle (i.e., the angle of emergence)of light passing through the deflector selectively, by changing thefrequency of the acoustic wave.

In some systems, acousto-optical deflectors may generate acoustic wavesthrough only a thin layer at the surface of an optical element. Such awave, called a surface acoustic wave (SAW), may produce a similaroptical effect as bulk acoustic waves (i.e., acoustic waves through thebulk of the material). To create a SAW, systems may send electricalsignals to piezoelectric or other electro-mechanical transducersorganized at the surface of an optical material. For instance,comb-shaped transducers may be organized in an interdigitated pattern sothat alternating signals at the transducers may yield standing waves atthe surface of the material. Other techniques may also be used.

Electro-optical deflectors controllably deflect light by passing lightthrough specialized materials that are optically reactive to electricalsignals. For instance, some crystals and polar liquids change refractiveindex in response to an applied electric field. In particular, thosematerials that exhibit the Kerr electro-optic effect change refractiveindex in proportion to the square of the strength of an applied electricfield. Additionally, materials that exhibit the Pockels electro-opticeffect change refractive index linearly with the strength of an appliedelectric field. Hence, deflection system 106 may send light through amaterial that exhibits either effect and control the light's angle ofdeflection by manipulating the electric field that it applies across thematerial. Other electro-optical and magneto-optical effects may be usedin electro-optical deflectors.

In some embodiments, each pixel of display screen 102 may have anindividual deflector associated with deflecting light from that pixel.In such a case, control elements may interface directly with eachdeflector or may interface with sets of deflectors. In otherembodiments, several pixels and/or light sources may be associated withone or more deflectors, without a one-to-one association between adeflector and a pixel/light source. In other embodiments, the deflectorsystem may function as a single deflector through which the light fromeach of the pixels may be deflected. For example, if a single deflectoris configured to focus all the output light from display screen 102towards one point, then deflection system 106 may manipulatecharacteristics (e.g., orientation, electric field strength, acousticstimuli, etc.) of the deflector to control where all the light isfocused.

Some embodiments may use several deflectors in combination in order toproduce desired optical effects. For example, a system may mechanicallymove an acousto-optical deflector to make large changes to thedeflection angle and then use acousto-optical effect to make smallerchanges. As another example, a system may use mechanically tuneddeflectors to change the depth of focus (i.e., how far from displayscreen 102 to focus light) and use electro-optical deflectors to adjustthe angle of focus (i.e., the direction that the light is focusedtowards). Other examples are also possible. Systems that use multipletypes of deflectors may use some deflectors for individual pixels whileusing other deflectors to deflect multiple points of light.

As shown in FIG. 1, display system 100 may also include computingelements for control of system 100 and processing of signals to/fromdisplay screen 102, eye-tracking system 104, and optical deflectionsystem 106. In particular, display system 100 includes a processor 110and CRM 112. CRM 112 may contain program instructions that may beexecuted by processor 110 to cause elements of system 100 to performcertain functions. Processor 110 and CRM 112 may be integrally connectedin a display device or these elements may connect locally or remotely toa display device.

Processor 110 may include any processor type capable of executingprogram instructions 114 in order to perform the functions describedherein. For example, processor 110 may be any general-purpose processor,specialized processing unit, or device with a processor. In some cases,multiple processing units may be connected and utilized in combinationto perform the various functions of processor 110.

CRM 112 may be any available media that can be accessed by processor 110and any other processing elements in system 100. By way of example, CRM112 may include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of program instructions or data structures, and which can beexecuted by a processor. When information is transferred or providedover a network or another communications connection (either hardwired,wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, themachine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium.Thus, any such connection to a computing device or processor is properlytermed a CRM. Combinations of the above are also included within thescope of computer-readable media. Program instructions 114 may include,for example, instructions and data that are capable of causing ageneral-purpose computer, special purpose computer, special purposeprocessing machines, or processing unit to perform a certain function orgroup of functions.

In some embodiments, display screen 102, eye-tracking system 104 and/oroptical deflection system 106 may include separate processing andstorage elements for execution of particular functions associated witheach system. As an example, eye-tracking system 104 may store previouseye-location data in an internal CRM and use internal processors toestimate future eye-locations. In this example, eye-tracking system mayautonomously determine future eye-location data and report the estimatedfuture eye-locations.

As an alternative example, eye-tracking system 104 may transmit currenteye-location data to processor 110 and CRM 112 and processor 110 mayperform execute computer functions to estimate future eye-locations.Indeed, any of the processing, calculating, estimating, or controlfunctions described above as being performed by the display screen 102,eye-tracking system 104 and/or optical deflection system 106 mayalternatively be performed by processor 110. In some cases, specificprocessors and CRM may be dedicated to the control or operation of onesystem although not integrated into that system. For example, processor110 may include a deflection-control subsystem that uses aspecial-purpose processing unit to service optical deflection system106.

Display system 100 also includes communication interfaces 116 forcommunicating with local and remote systems. Communication interfaces116 may include, for example, wireless chipsets, antennas, wired ports,signal converters, communication protocols, and other hardware andsoftware for interfacing with external systems. For example, displaysystem 100 may receive 3D images via communication interfaces 116 fromcontent providers (e.g., television, internet, video conferencingproviders, etc.) or from local media sources (e.g., gaming systems, discplayers, portable media players, computing systems, cameras, etc.) Asanother example, display system 100 may receive user-input anduser-commands via communication interfaces 116 such as, for instance,remote control signals, touch-screen input, actuation ofbuttons/switches, voice input, and other user-interface elements.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing elements of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment. As shown, display device 200 includes adisplay screen 202, an eye-tracking system 204, and an opticaldeflection-system 206 with each element connected to system bus 208. Anyof the elements may contain processing and storage elements, includingexecutable instructions, for performing particular functions associatedwith that element. A display device as represented by the block diagramof FIG. 2 may be, for example, a television, a gaming system, a portabledevice (e.g., phone, tablet, PDA, electronic book, or media player), ora computer monitor, among many other possibilities.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing elements of a display control device300, configured according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, displaycontrol device 300 includes a processor 302 and CRM 304 with programinstructions 306 stored thereon. In practice, computing elements such asprocessor 302 and CRM 304 may include multiple physical processing andstorage media so that each computing element may be associated with aparticular system/element serviced by control device 300. Such computingelements may function to receive data or input from othersystems/elements and send control signaling, instructions, and othercommunications to the systems/elements. In the example system of FIG. 3,display screen 316, eye-tracking system 318, and optical deflectionsystem 320 are shown as such systems/elements.

To facilitate communication with external systems/elements, controldevice 300 may include a set of control interfaces (such as,display-screen interface 310, eye-tracking system interface 312, anddeflection-system interface 314). Some control interfaces may be assimple as a single wired and/or wireless connection. Other controlinterfaces may include several connections and/or may utilize specifichardware and/or software to enable communication.

A display control device may be integral in a display device or systemor it may externally connect to the elements of the display device orsystem. In some embodiments, the control device may be implemented inone element of a display system and communicate with other elementsthrough specific interfaces. For example, display control device 300 maybe integrated within the eye-tracking system and send control signals tothe display screen and deflection systems through interfaces. As anotherexample, control device 300 may be integrated within the display-screenand interfaces with the deflection and eye-tracking systems throughremovable connections. In either example, the resulting system may allowfor easy replacement of elements. Other example systems are possible.

Example Operation

Functions and procedures described in this section may be executedaccording to any of several embodiments. For example, procedures may beperformed by specialized equipment that is designed to perform theparticular functions. As another example, the functions may be performedby general-use equipment that executes commands related to theprocedures. As still another example, each function may be performed bya different piece of equipment with one piece of equipment serving ascontrol or with a separate control device. As a further example,procedures may be specified as program instructions on acomputer-readable medium.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method 400 according to anexemplary embodiment. As shown, method 400 involves providing adisplay-device (step 402). Method 400 further involves receivingeye-location data (step 404). Method 400 further involves sequentiallydisplaying one view of a 3D image and another view of the image from thedisplay device (step 406). Method 400 further involves deflecting thelight that the display device outputs based on the received eye-locationdata (step 408).

As discussed above, eye-location data may be generated in various ways.Eye-location data may be generated, for example, by a dedicatedeye-tracking system. Alternatively, eye-location data may be generatedby a processor in a display device using features of the device. In somecases, eye-location data may be simply used without regard for theoriginal source of the data. Further, eye-location data may be receivedand/or generated occasionally in order to provide updated data. In somecases, the updated data may be periodically generated and/or received.In other cases, updated data may be generated and/or received inresponse to particular signals, inputs, or determinations.

Additionally, eye-location data may portray or represent variouscharacteristics of detected eyes. For example, eye-location data mayrepresent the spatial position of the detected eyes in any coordinatesystem in one, two, or three dimensions. As another example,eye-location data may represent estimated future locations of thedetected eyes. As a further example, eye-location data may represent themovement of the detected eyes. As still another example, eye-locationdata may represent specific characteristics of the detected eyes (e.g.,right eye, left eye, first viewer, second viewer, specific vieweridentity, etc.)

Sequentially outputting light representing the views of the 3D image mayalso be performed in several ways. As one example, each pixel of adisplay screen, such as display screen 102, may alternate betweenoutputting light that represents one view of the 3D image (for instance,a left-eye view) and outputting light that represents a second view ofthe 3D image (for instance, a right-eye view). In some embodiments, allpixels may alternate in unison so that one view is fully displayed at afirst time and the second view is fully displayed at a second time. Inanother embodiment, a system may divide the pixels into two groups witheach group displaying one view at the first time and the other view atthe second time. In such an embodiment, each view may be partiallydisplayed at all times, with the part of the view that is displayedalternating between the two groups of pixels. In still otherembodiments, each pixel may independently sequence between displayingviews.

In some embodiments, the displayed 3D images may include 3D video. 3Dvideo may include short-duration video associated with computerapplications and graphical user-interfaces. Additionally, 3D video mayinclude longer-duration video including streaming media, video-basedapplications/games, and/or media read from memory devices. Numerousother video types and sources may be displayed in various exemplaryembodiments.

In order to convey a continuous image or video to a viewer, the systemmay sequentially display the views at a sequence rate that is fasterthan a rate at which an eye can perceive that the image is flickering.In some embodiments, the sequence rate may be faster than about 30 Hertz(i.e., each view is displayed about 30 times per second). In otherembodiments, the sequence rate may exceed 100 Hertz. In still otherembodiments, the rate may change in response to particulardeterminations or instructions. For example, if the system uses the samepixels to display images to each of several viewers, then the system mayincrease the sequence rate in accordance with an increase in the numberof viewers. As another example, the system may decrease the sequencerate when displaying a more complex image (e.g., a high-definition imageor an image in which one view differs greatly from the other view) andincrease the cycle rate for a less complex image. As yet anotherexample, a system that is designed to serve several different displaydevices may determine the image-generation frequency of the displaydevice that it is currently serving and adjust the sequence rate tomatch the image generation frequency. The image-generation time of aparticular display device may be the amount of time that the displaydevice takes between successive steps of refreshing the image in avideo.

In addition to displaying views of a 3D image, an exemplary sequence mayinvolve transition periods in which no image is displayed on some or allof the pixels. A sequence may also involve some transitions in which acombination of both images is displayed at some or all of the pixels.

At step 408, method 400 involves deflecting the light rays thatrepresent the views of the 3D image in accordance with the eye-locationdata. As explained above with reference to example system and devicearchitectures, deflection systems may utilize a variety of differentoptical deflectors (e.g., mechanically controlled, acousto-optical,and/or electro-optical) to control the direction and focus of light raysemitted from a display screen.

In an exemplary embodiment, deflectors may serve to point light raystowards the detected eyes of the viewer(s). For example, each pixel mayemit a beam or beams through optical-deflection system 106 so thatoptical-deflection system 106 may deflect the beam towards the directionof a detected eye represented by received eye-location data. Inpractice, the direction of the detected eye may be slightly differentfor each pixel of the display screen due to the position of the pixel.An exemplary procedure may therefore involve determining the directionof the detected eye with respect to each pixel and deflecting the lightrays from each pixel in the respective determined direction of the eye.In other embodiments, deflection system 106 may determine the directionof the detected eye with respect to a reference pixel and deflect thelight from each pixel based on a predefined relationship between thereference pixel and each other pixel. In this way, light from each pixelmay be appropriately deflected without requiring the system to calculatea deflection angle for each pixel explicitly.

In some cases, deflection system 106 may directly receive eye-locationdata and determine how to deflect the light rays by executing programinstructions at a processing or control unit contained in deflectionsystem 106. In other embodiments, deflection system 106 may receivedeflector control signaling from eye-tracking system 104 or from acontrol unit (such as, processor 110 or display control system 300).Control systems may generate deflector control signaling based oneye-location data.

In one aspect, deflection system 106 may sequentially deflect the lightrays to each of the detected eye-locations. In particular, deflectionsystem 106 may deflect the light towards one eye during a first time anddeflect light towards another eye during a second time. In someembodiments, deflection system 106 may be configured to change whicheye-location receives the light at roughly the same time as displayscreen 102 changes which view of the 3D images it displays. Such aconfiguration may help to simplify the process of displaying the correctview to the correct eye.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show light-ray diagrams of example embodiments in use.In particular, FIG. 5A shows light rays deflecting towards a leftviewer-eye 522 at a first time-step and FIG. 5B shows light raysdeflecting towards a right viewer eye 524 at a second time-step. Asshown in FIG. 5A, light is emitted from light sources 502, 504, 506, and508, through optical deflectors 512, 514, 516, and 518 towards the leftviewer-eye 522 of viewer 520. Although deflectors 512-518 are shown asseparate devices in FIGS. 5A-B, an example optical-deflection system mayalternatively use a single-device deflection system.

As shown in FIG. 5B, at the second time-step, light sources 502, 504,506, and 508 continue to emit light rays through optical deflectors 512,514, 516, and 518. In contrast to the first time-step, however, opticaldeflectors 512-518 deflect light towards the right viewer-eye 524 ofviewer 520, at the second time-step. In an example process, the lightmay alternate between the first and second time-steps. The time-stepshown in FIG. 5A is termed the “first” time-step only to differentiateit from the second time-step. Throughout the present disclosure, nointended order of operations should be implied from the labels “first”or “second” unless otherwise specified.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a similar process as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5Bbeing performed with a lenticular display-screen. In particular, asshown in FIG. 6A, light sources 602, 604, 606, and 608 emit light raysthat transmit through optical deflectors 612, 614, 616, and 618 andlenticules 622, 624, 626, and 628 towards the left viewer-eye 632 ofviewer 630. The relative size of objects, such as the lenticules andlight sources, are not to any scale and may be out of proportion with anactual implementation. As shown, lenticules 622-628 passively (i.e.,without requiring power or control) deflect the light rays. Inembodiments using lenticules, parallax barriers, and/or othernon-controlled optical elements, the system may e configured to adjustfor any optical effects (e.g., deflection, obstruction, scattering,absorption, reflection, polarization, etc.) In such an embodiment, thesystem may be programmed either with a particular adjustment or withinstructions for automatically determining an appropriate adjustment.For example, a system may calibrate optical deflectors by emitting lightrays, measuring the returning light to determine optical changes made bypassive elements, and adjusting the deflection system to compensate forthe detected changes.

In some embodiments, deflection system 106 may cycle through a sequenceusing a timing other than that shown in FIGS. 5A-6B. For example, if onepixel must display views to two viewers, then, while display screen 202outputs the right-eye view of the 3D images, deflection system 106 maycycle through deflecting the light towards each viewer's right eye. Sucha configuration may allow display screen 102 to sequence at the samerate, regardless of how many viewers are watching, without employingseparate pixels for each viewer. Other implementations are alsopossible.

In the example of a system that concurrently displays one view of a 3Dimage through one set of pixels and another view of the 3D image througha second set of pixels, deflection system 106 may deflect light fromeach set toward a different eye-location. For example, when the firstset of pixels displays the right-eye view of the images, deflectionsystem 106 may deflect the light from the first set of pixels towards aneye-location that is labeled as a right eye-location. At the same time,deflection system 106 may deflect the light from the second set ofpixels towards an eye-location that is labeled as a left eye-location inresponse to determining that the second set of pixels is displaying theleft-eye view of the images.

Such an implementation is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. As shown in FIG. 7A,at the first time-step, light rays representing portions of the left-eyeview (shown in solid lines) are emitted from light sources 702 and 706,through deflectors 712 and 716, and into the left viewer-eye 722 ofviewer 720. As also shown in FIG. 7A, light rays representing portionsof the right-eye view (shown in dashed lines) are emitted from lightsources 704 and 708, through deflectors 714 and 718, and into the rightviewer-eye 724 of viewer 720.

At the second time-step, as shown in FIG. 7B, the light raysrepresenting portions of the left-eye view (shown in solid lines) areemitted from light sources 704 and 708, through deflectors 714 and 718,and into the left viewer-eye 722 of viewer 720. Also as shown in FIG.7B, light rays representing portions of the right-eye view (shown indashed lines) are emitted from light sources 702 and 706, throughdeflectors 712 and 716, and into the right viewer-eye 724 of viewer 720.

When displaying images to more than one viewer, a 3D system may displaythe same set of images to each viewer (e.g., the right-eye view isdisplayed to the right eye of each set of eye locations and likewisewith the left-eye view).

FIGS. 8A and 8B are light-ray diagrams showing an example use of aparticular embodiment. In particular, the light rays are deflected tothe eyes of two viewers in an alternating sequence. The particularsequence shown involves displaying both the left and right views of the3D images to viewer 830 at a first time-step (shown in FIG. 8A) anddisplaying both the left and right views of the 3D images to viewer 840at a second time-step. As shown, at the first time-step, light sources804, 808, 812, and 816 emit light rays (shown as solid lines)representing a left-eye view through optical deflector 818 andlenticules 822, 824, 826, and 828 towards the left viewer-eye 832 ofviewer 830. Also at the first time-step, light sources 802, 806, 810,and 814 emit light rays (shown as dashed lines) representing a right-eyeview through optical deflector 818 and lenticules 822, 824, 826, and 828towards the right viewer-eye 832 of viewer 830. Although opticaldeflector 818 is shown as a single segmented deflector, otherembodiments may include separate deflectors for each light source orlenticule.

At the second time-step, FIG. 8B shows that light sources 802-816 emitportions of the left and right views in the same way as in the firsttime-step. However, the light rays are deflected by deflector 818 sothat, after passing through lenticules 822-828, the light rays aredirected to left viewer-eye 842 and right viewer-eye 844 or viewer 840.Other implementations and procedures may be used as well to display 3Dimages to two or more viewers.

In other embodiments, different perspectives of the same image may bedisplayed to different viewers (or to the same viewer, if the viewer ismobile) depending on where the viewer is detected. For example, a vieweron the right side of the room may receive a slightly different imagethan a viewer on the left side of the room. Such a technique may helpthe 3D-display system to portray image parallax to the viewer.

In some other embodiments, the display system may display entirelydifferent images to different viewers. As an example situation, somemulti-player video games require viewers to each look at a differentimage (e.g., each player sees from their own character's perspective).In a typical gaming system, the display screen is divided into sectionsand each player's perspective occupies one section of the screen. In oneembodiment of the present system, however, different images may be sentto the eye-locations associated each player, so that each player'sperspective may occupy the entire screen and players may not see eachother's perspective. In another example, a system may display an editedversion of images to one viewer (e.g., the G-rated version of a movie)and an less-edited version of the images to another viewer (e.g., anR-rated version of the same movie). Other examples are possible.

In some embodiments, optical-deflection system 106 may direct light raysto a larger spot size encompassing the detected eye, rather than afocused spot on the eye. By directing light to a larger spot size thatencompasses the eye, display system 100 may allow for small movements ofthe eye and/or imprecision in the detection procedure, without the lightmissing the viewer's eye. In other cases, deflection system 106 maydirect the light to a focused spot on the eye. Such an arrangement mayhelp to prevent the spot size from encompassing more than one viewereye. In practice, a spot size may be selected to achieve both designfeatures: allowing for imprecision and preventing display of one view tomultiple eyes (e.g., both of one viewer's eyes or eyes of more than oneviewer).

In another aspect, deflection system 106 may occasionally receiveupdated eye-location data and deflect the light towards the mostrecently updated eye-locations. In some cases, deflection system 106 mayreceive updated eye-location data each time that eye-tracker 104generates such data. In other cases, deflection system 106 may receiveeye-location data only when the updated eye-locations differ enough fromprevious eye-location data.

As described previously, eye-location data may include movement dataassociated with the eyes and/or estimated future eye-locations.Deflection system 106 may use such data in determining where to deflectthe light. For example, deflection system 106 may process movement datato estimate the current eye-locations during the time between receivingupdated eye-location data. As another example, deflection system 106 maydirect light towards the estimated future eye-locations in a systemwhere a significant time delay between eye-tracking system 104 detectingthe eyes and deflection system 106 receiving the eye-location data. Insuch a system, eye-tracking system 104 may determine the time delay anduse the delay in the estimation of the future eye-locations.

As described with respect to the example architecture, someimplementations of deflection system 106 may use multiple deflectortypes to deflect light rays. As an example, deflection system 106 mayuse one type of deflector (e.g., mechanically controlled, bulk acoustic,SAW-based, and/or electro-optical) to coarsely adjust the direction ofthe light rays and a different type of deflector to finely adjust thedirection of the light rays. As another example, deflection system 106may use one type of deflector to direct light towards a set of eyes anduse a different type of deflector to deflect the light towards theindividual eyes in the set.

The construction and arrangement of the elements of the systems andmethods as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only.Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosurewill readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g.,variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions ofthe various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, useof materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departingfrom the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited.For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed ofmultiple parts or elements. The elements and assemblies may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Additionally, in the subject description,the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance, orillustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary”is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous overother embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary isintended to present concepts in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method stepsmay be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Anymeans-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures describedherein as performing the recited function and not only structuralequivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions,modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design,operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and otherexemplary embodiments without departing from scope of the presentdisclosure or from the scope of the appended claims.

Although the figures show a specific order of method steps, the order ofthe steps may differ from what is depicted. Also, two or more steps maybe performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variationwill depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designerchoice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure.Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standardprogramming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic toaccomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparisonsteps, and decision steps.

1. A method for displaying 3D images, the method comprising: providing adisplay device; receiving eye-location data indicative of a set ofeye-locations relative to the display device, wherein the set ofeye-locations comprises a left-eye location and a right-eye location;sequentially outputting, from the display device, light raysrepresenting a left-eye view of the 3D images and light raysrepresenting a right-eye view of the 3D images; and based at least inpart on the received eye-location data, using an active sold-stateoptical deflector (i) to deflect the output light rays representing theleft-eye view towards the left-eye location and (ii) to deflect theoutput light rays representing the right-eye view towards the right-eyelocation.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the display device comprisesa lenticular display-device.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving additional eye-location data indicative of one ormore updated sets of eye-locations; and deflecting the output light raysbased at least in part on the additional eye-location data.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, detecting motion in an area in front of the displaydevice; and in response to the detected motion, instructing theeye-tracking system to generate the additional eye-location data.
 5. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the eye-location data is received from aneye-tracking system, the method further comprising: occasionallyinstructing the eye-tracking system to generate the additionaleye-location data; estimating a time when the display device willrefresh the displayed 3D images; and using the estimated time as a basisfor determining when to instruct the eye-tracking system to generate theadditional eye-location data. 6-7. (canceled)
 8. The method of claim 3,wherein deflecting the output light rays based at least in part on theadditional eye-location data comprises: determining whether a differencebetween the one or more updated sets of eye-locations and a previous setof eye-locations is larger than a non-zero threshold difference ineye-location; in response to determining that the difference between theone or more updated sets of eye-locations and the previous set ofeye-locations is larger than the non-zero threshold difference ineye-location, deflecting the output light rays based at least in part onthe additional eye-location data. 9-13. (canceled)
 14. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the display device comprises a mobile display-device.15. The method of claim 1, wherein the received eye-location datafurther indicates movement of the set of eye-locations, the methodfurther comprising: estimating a refresh time corresponding to when thedisplay device will refresh the displayed 3D images; estimating futureeye-locations based at least in part on the indicated movementcharacteristics of the set of eye-locations, wherein the estimatedfuture eye-locations correspond with eye-locations at the estimatedrefresh time; and deflecting the output light rays towards the estimatedfuture eye-locations at the estimated refresh time.
 16. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the active solid-state deflectors compriseacousto-optical deflectors.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein theacousto-optical deflectors use surface acoustic waves to deflect thelight rays.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein using theactive solid-state deflectors to deflect the output light rayscomprises: using a first type of optical deflector to coarsely adjust adirection of the light rays; and using a second type of opticaldeflector to finely adjust the direction of the light rays. 20-22.(canceled)
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the first type of opticaldeflector is an electro-optical deflector, and wherein the second typeof optical deflector is an acousto-optical deflector.
 24. The method ofclaim 1, wherein using the active solid-state deflectors to deflect theoutput light rays comprises: using a first type of optical deflector todeflect the light rays in a direction associated with the set ofeye-locations; and using a second type of optical deflector to deflectthe light rays to each of the left eye-location and the righteye-location. 25-27. (canceled)
 28. The method of claim 24, wherein thefirst type of optical deflector is an electro-optical deflector, andwherein the second type of optical deflector is an acousto-opticaldeflector.
 29. (canceled)
 30. The method of claim 1, whereinsequentially outputting the light rays representing the left-eye view ofthe 3D images and the light rays representing the right-eye view of the3D images comprises alternating between (i) outputting the light raysrepresenting the left-eye view and (ii) outputting the light raysrepresenting the right-eye view. 31-34. (canceled)
 35. Anautostereoscopic 3D-display device, comprising: a display screenconfigured to sequentially display right-eye and left-eye views of 3Dimages; an eye-tracking system configured to determine a set ofeye-locations relative to the display screen, wherein the set ofeye-locations comprises a left-eye location and a right-eye location;and an active solid-state optical-deflection system capable of directinglight rays representing the displayed right-eye and left-eye views,wherein the active solid-state deflection system is configured to directthe light rays towards the determined set of eye-locations.
 36. Theautostereoscopic 3D-display device of claim 35, wherein the activesolid-state deflection system comprises an acousto-optical deflector.37. The autostereoscopic 3D-display device of claim 36, wherein theacousto-optical deflector uses surface acoustic waves to deflect thelight rays.
 38. (canceled)
 39. The autostereoscopic 3D-display device ofclaim 35, wherein the display screen comprises a lenticular displayscreen.
 40. (canceled)
 41. The autostereoscopic 3D-display device ofclaim 35, further comprising processing circuitry, wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to generate an estimated time whenthe display device will refresh the displayed 3D images, wherein theeye-tracking system is further configured to determine one or moreupdated sets of eye-locations, and wherein the eye-tracking system isconfigured to use the estimated time as a basis for timing when todetermine the updated sets of eye-locations. 42-50. (canceled)
 51. Theautostereoscopic 3D-display device of claim 35, wherein the eye-trackingsystem is further configured to: (i) determine a movement pattern of theset of eye-locations, (ii) estimate a refresh time when theautostereoscopic 3D-display device will refresh the displayed 3D images,and (iii) estimate future eye-locations based at least in part on thedetermined movement pattern of the set of eye-locations, wherein theestimated future eye-locations correspond with eye-locations at theestimated refresh time, and wherein the active solid-state deflectionsystem is further configured to direct the light rays based at least inpart on the estimated future eye-locations. 52-56. (canceled)
 57. Theautostereoscopic 3D-display device of claim 35, wherein theautostereoscopic 3D-display device uses an acousto-optical deflectionsystem to deflect the light rays towards a direction associated with theset of eye-locations and wherein the autostereoscopic 3D-display deviceuses electro-optical deflectors to deflect the light rays towards eachof the left eye-location and the right eye-location.
 58. Theautostereoscopic 3D-display device of claim 35, wherein theautostereoscopic 3D-display device uses an electro-optical deflectionsystem to deflect the light rays towards a direction associated with theset of eye-locations and wherein the autostereoscopic 3D-display deviceuses acousto-optical deflectors to deflect the light rays towards eachof the left eye-location and the right eye-location.
 59. (canceled) 60.The autostereoscopic 3D-display device of claim 35, wherein the displayscreen sequentially displays the left-eye and right-eye views of the 3Dimages by alternating between displaying the left-eye view of the 3Dimages and displaying the right-eye view of the 3D images. 61-64.(canceled)
 65. A display control system for controlling the display ofimages by an autostereoscopic 3D-display device, the display controlsystem comprising: a processor; a set of communication interfacescomprising (a) a display-screen interface, (b) an eye-tracking systeminterface, and (c) a deflector-system interface; a computer-readablemedium; and program instructions stored on the computer-readable mediumand executable by the processor to cause the processor to: receive, viathe eye-tracking system interface, eye-location data indicative of a setof eye-locations relative to the autostereoscopic 3D-display device,wherein the set of eye-locations comprises a left-eye location and aright-eye location; transmit screen control signaling via thedisplay-screen interface directing the autostereoscopic 3D-displaydevice to sequentially output light rays representing a left-eye view of3D images and light rays representing a right-eye view of the 3D images;and transmit deflector control signaling via the deflector-systeminterface directing an active solid-state deflector system to deflectthe output light rays representing the left-eye view and the right-eyeview of the 3D images towards the set of eye-locations, in accordancewith the received eye-location data, wherein the deflector controlsignaling.
 66. The display control system of claim 65, wherein theautostereoscopic 3D-display device comprises a lenticular displayscreen.
 67. The display control system of claim 65, receive additionaleye-location data via the eye-tracking system interface, wherein theadditional eye-location data is indicative of one or more updated setsof eye-locations; and transmit additional deflector control signaling,via the deflector-system interface, directing the deflector system todeflect the output light rays based at least in part on the additionaleye-location data.
 68. The display control system of claim 67, whereinthe program instructions are further executable to cause the processorto: occasionally transmit eye-tracker control signaling, via theeye-tracking system interface, directing the eye-tracking system togenerate the additional eye-location data; estimate a time when thedisplay device will refresh the displayed 3D images; and use theestimated time as a basis for determining when to transmit theeye-tracker control signaling. 69-70. (canceled)
 71. The display controlsystem of claim 67, wherein the program instructions are furtherexecutable to cause the processor to: detect motion in an area in frontof the autostereoscopic 3D-display device; and in response to thedetected motion transmit eye-tracker control signaling, via theeye-tracking system interface, directing the eye-tracking system togenerate the additional eye-location data. 72-77. (canceled)
 78. Thedisplay control system of claim 65, wherein the display control systemis integrated within the autostereoscopic 3D-display device.
 79. Thedisplay control system of claim 65, wherein the received eye-locationdata further indicates movement of the set of eye-locations, wherein theprogram instructions are further executable to cause the processor to:(i) estimate a refresh time corresponding to when the 3D-display devicewill refresh the displayed 3D images and (ii) estimate futureeye-locations based at least in part on the indicated movement of theset of eye-locations, wherein the estimated future eye-locationscorrespond with eye-locations at the estimated refresh time; and whereinthe deflector control signaling further directs the deflector system todeflect the output light rays based on the estimated futureeye-locations.
 80. The display control system of claim 65, wherein thedeflector control signaling directs acousto-optical deflectors todeflect the light rays.
 81. The display control system of claim 80,wherein the deflector control signaling, causes the deflector system touse surface acoustic waves to deflect the light rays. 82-85. (canceled)86. The display control system of claim 65, wherein the deflector systemcomprises acousto-optical deflectors and electro-optical deflectors,wherein the deflector control signaling directs the electro-opticaldeflectors to deflect the light rays coarsely, and wherein the deflectorcontrol signaling directs the acousto-optical deflectors to deflect thelight rays finely. 87-89. (canceled)
 90. The display control system ofclaim 65, wherein the deflector system comprises acousto-opticaldeflectors and electro-optical deflectors, wherein the deflector controlsignaling directs the electro-optical deflectors to deflect the lightrays towards a direction associated with the set of eye-locations andwherein the deflector control signaling directs the acousto-opticaldeflectors to deflect the light rays towards each of the lefteye-location and the right eye-location.
 91. (canceled)
 92. The displaycontrol system of claim 65, wherein sequentially outputting the lightrays representing the left-eye view and the right-eye view of the 3Dimages comprises alternating between (i) outputting the light raysrepresenting the left-eye view and (ii) outputting the light raysrepresenting the right-eye view. 93-96. (canceled)
 97. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructionsexecutable by a processor to cause an autostereoscopic 3D-display deviceto: receive eye-location data indicative of a set of eye-locationsrelative to the autostereoscopic 3D-display device, wherein the set ofeye-locations comprises a left-eye location and a right-eye location;sequentially output, from the 3D-display device, light rays representinga left-eye view of 3D images and light rays representing a right-eyeview of the 3D images; and using an active sold-state optical deflector(i) to deflect the output light rays representing the left-eye viewtowards the left-eye location and (ii) to deflect the output light raysrepresenting the right-eye view towards the right-eye location.
 98. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 97, wherein the display screencomprises a lenticular display-screen. 99-106. (canceled)
 107. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 97, wherein the autostereoscopic3D-display device comprises a mobile display-device.
 108. (canceled)109. The computer-readable medium of claim 97, wherein deflecting theoutput light rays comprises using acousto-optical deflectors to deflectthe light rays.
 110. The computer-readable medium of claim 109, whereindeflecting the output light rays comprises using surface acoustic wavesto deflect the light rays. 111-127. (canceled)